Chimney caps and crown repair
The top of the chimney is its roof. A sound crown and a good cap prevent most chimney damage.
The crown is the concrete slab covering the top of the chimney around the flues. The cap is the metal cover with screened sides over the flue opening. Together they shed rain and snowmelt, block animals and debris, and help keep sparks off the roof.
Why do crowns crack?
Many crowns were built as a thin layer of mortar troweled over the top bricks instead of a properly formed slab with an overhang. They crack with freeze and thaw, and water runs straight into the brickwork below. That's often where crumbling at the top of a chimney starts.
How is a cracked crown fixed?
- Sealing. Hairline cracks in a sound crown can be sealed with a flexible crown coating.
- Replacement. A crumbling crown is removed and replaced with one that slopes away from the flues and overhangs the brick with a drip edge.
Why does a chimney need a cap?
- Keeps rain and snow out of the flue, protecting the liner, damper and appliance connections
- Keeps out birds, squirrels, raccoons and other animals
- Stops leaves and debris from blocking the flue
- Spark screens help keep embers off the roof
Caps come in single- and multi-flue styles, in galvanized steel, stainless steel and copper. Stainless and copper outlast galvanized. Some appliances, including some oil and pellet appliances, have specific termination requirements, so make sure the cap suits what the flue serves.
Signs your cap or crown needs attention
- Cracks or missing chunks on top of the chimney
- A rusted, bent or missing cap
- Water in the fireplace or rust on the damper
- Animal noises or nesting in the chimney
- Damaged brick near the top
What affects the cost?
- Crown size and whether it's sealed or replaced.
- Cap material and single vs. multi-flue.
- Roof access and chimney height.
Prices come from the chimney company after they've inspected the chimney. We don't quote prices ourselves, and a phone estimate is only a starting point.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
How do I get an animal out of my chimney?
Don't light a fire to smoke it out. Call a chimney company or wildlife professional, and install a cap afterward.
Is a stainless cap worth it?
In Maine winters, stainless usually outlasts galvanized by years, so it's often worth the higher price.
Related services
- Chimney masonry repair and rebuilds
- Chimney relining
- Chimney leak repair
- Chimney inspection and sweeping
More background: Maine chimney guide.
Heating season and the chimney's acting up?
Call now and a local chimney company will inspect it and quote the repair.